Hiking in the Dolomites

Intrepid Travel · 8 days

4.5

21 Reviews

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Duration

8 days

Tour Type

Small Group

Accommodations

Moderate

Physical Rating

Average

Guide Language

English

Experience Overview

Discover the Dolomites on a small group hiking adventure. With easy to moderate walks, conveniently located accommodation and a knowledgeable local leader to keep everything running smoothly, this trip offers an active yet leisurely way to explore one of Italy’s most iconic mountain ranges.

Highlights

Take in scenes of sheer rock walls, deep valleys and flower-filled meadows on foot in one of Italy’s most iconic hiking destinations.
Stay at a hotel surrounded by parkland and native woods within easy walking distance of the town of Dobbiaco.
Hike the Three Peaks of Lavaredo loop – a full day's walk that’s widely regarded as the most scenic trail in the Dolomites.
See the naturally formed Earth Pyramids of Platten – among the tallest and most striking pyramids in Europe.
Enjoy a gourmet picnic lunch featuring some of the region’s famous produce in Ampezzo Dolomites Natural Park.

Trip Details

Duration

8 days

Transportation

Walking,Private vehicle,Taxi

Tour Type

Small Group

Guide Language

English

Starts

Venice to Dobbiaco, Italy

Finishes

Dobbiaco to Venice, Italy

Accommodations

Moderate

Travel Style

Walking & Trekking

Physical Rating

Average

Itinerary

Day 1: Venice to Dobbiaco

Buongiorno! Welcome to Italy. When you arrive at the Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE) this afternoon, you’ll be met by a local representative and transferred to the town of Dobbiaco. Sitting in a green valley surrounded by mountains and parkland, this is your home for the next eight days – and a gorgeous place to start your Dolomites hiking adventure! Settle in at your comfortable guesthouse within easy walking distance of the town before your welcome meeting at 7 pm, where you’ll meet your local leader and group properly.

Included Activities:

Complimentary Group Arrival Transfer from Venice Airport

Accommodation:

Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 2: Strudelkopf summit hike

After breakfast, catch the public bus to your first hike up one of the region’s popular summits – Strudelkopf. The trail winds through flower-filled pastures and rewards you with impressive views of the surrounding peaks. Strudelkopf sits at 2307 m above sea level, and if the weather is on your side, you might catch a glimpse of Tre Cime di Lavaredo – one of the Dolomites’ most famous landmarks. After some time at the summit, loop back down and across the valley. Then, after a big day on your feet, take a breather at a mountain hut and dig into a local favourite – apple strudel.

Included Activities:

Strudelkopf summit guided hike
Local apple strudel tasting

Accommodation:

Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 3: Earth Pyramids of Platten

Hit the road in a private vehicle towards the Earth Pyramids of Platten, a natural wonder formed over 25,000 years ago. These clay towers are the tallest and most striking earth pyramids in Europe! The trail winds through dense forests with some incredible views – watch out for chamois, deer, alpine birds and other wildlife. Reach a plateau with even more great vistas and a small hut serving food and drinks. Take a well-earned break before descending to Percha, a charming Tyrolean village with chalets, cafes and inns. Head to a cheese tasting cooperative before returning to Dobbiaco in the early afternoon.

Included Activities:

Earth pyramids of Platten guided hike
Cheese tasting at local cooperative

Accommodation:

Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 4: Ampezzo Dolomites Natural Park

After breakfast, take a public bus to Podestagno to explore the Ampezzo Dolomites Natural Park. Hike past waterfalls and the Boite River before resting at a cafe housed in a traditional building. Enjoy a picnic lunch, then choose whether you’d like to hike further into the valley or relax by the river. Hiking back down, you’ll take a different path – featuring a short crossing of a steep slope – that leads to some of the most picturesque viewpoints of the surrounding valleys. Take a bus to Cortina d’Ampezzo for some free time in the town before returning to Dobbiaco.

Included Activities:

Malga Ra Stua guided hike in the Natural Park of the Ampezzo Dolomites
Cortina d'Ampezzo leader led walk

Accommodation:

Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 5: Dobbiaco

Today, you have a free day to spend as you like. You could take a bus to one of the many trails in the area to enjoy more hiking on your own or swap the hiking boots for two wheels on a cycling adventure. There are also plenty of museums nearby – go to Monte Piana and Monte Piano for WWI history, or visit Bolzano to see Europe’s oldest natural human mummy known as the Ice Man.

Accommodation:

Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 6: Tre Cime di Lavaredo

Today is a full-day hiking excursion to the Three Peaks of Lavaredo. This loop trail is widely regarded as the most spectacular hike in the Dolomites with epic scenery at every turn, so make sure your camera is fully charged! Take a moment to rest and take it all in at Rifugio Locatelli, where you’ll have a front-row seat to views of Laghi dei Piani.

Included Activities:

Tre Cime di Lavaredo scenic hike

Accommodation:

Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 7: Monte Elmo summit hike

This morning will be slightly more relaxed with the option to leave your hotel anytime until 9 am. Then, take a short train ride to Versciacio – a popular ski resort in the winter months. Here, you’ll catch a cable car to today’s hike – a short but relatively challenging trek up Monte Elmo. The last part of the hike takes you up a steep slope, but there’s a great restaurant at the bottom (where you can wait if you’re not up for the summit). If you reach the top of Monte Elmo, you’ll also have a chance to cross the Italian Austrian border which runs through the summit point. The afternoon is free to enjoy at your leisure, perhaps with a final celebration at one of the many bars or restaurants in Dobbiaco.

Included Activities:

Cable car ride in Versciacio

Accommodation:

Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 8: Dobbiaco to Venice

After breakfast, your hiking adventure will come to an end and you’ll have a group transfer to Venice Airport Marco Polo, arriving at approximately 1.30 pm. Please book any flights from 4 pm onwards. If you’d like to extend your stay, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.

Included Activities:

Complimentary Group Departure Transfer to Venice Airport

Exclusions

Flights to and from origin and destinations
Airport transfers (arrival and departure)
Anything else not explicitly listed in tour inclusions
Recommended gratuities/tipping
Optional activities/tours
Personal expenses
Travel insurance
Visas, meals and beverages not stated in the list of inclusions.

Important Information

Meals

When meals are not included, your tour leader (where available) will be happy to help with restaurant recommendations, bookings, and directions. Please let us know if you have any dietary needs or preferences. We willdo our best to accommodate these, though we cannot guarantee that every request can be met.

Luggage

You are responsible for your personal belongings throughout the tour. You will need to carry your own bags between the vehicle and your hotel room. Drivers will assist with loading and unloading luggage from the vehicle.

Mobility

Travellers requiring wheelchair access should contact our sales and service team, who can make enquiries on your behalf.

Fitness Level

This tour requires an Average level of fitness. Activities are paced gently and include leisure time. You may be expected to join guided walks of up to one hour, navigate short stairways and mild inclines, and manage your own luggage. You should also be able to board and exit all transport without assistance.

Travellers are expected to be self-sufficient and capable of handling all aspects of their journey. Please discuss your circumstances and support needs with your booking agent to confirm this trip is suitable.

If you are unsure, we recommend consulting your doctor before booking or travelling. (Note: I assume each tour has a different description depending on level of fitness required).

Sightseeing

If a planned site visit is unavailable due to changes in operating hours or holiday closures, the itinerary may be altered, or a comparable activity will be substituted where possible and subject to availability.

Visas

Visa conditions can change. Once you receive your travel documents, check with the relevant embassy, consulate, or immigration office of your destination for the latest information.

It is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct and valid travel documents and to comply with all entry requirements.
Non-Australian citizens must also confirm visa and identification requirements with the appropriate consulate or visa agency.
Certain occupations (for example, journalists, government officials, or those working in charities) may face additional restrictions when applying for visas, which could affect the type of application required.

Departure Dates & Surcharges: See checkout for live dates and availability.

AUD $4,495

(Tour only)

Per Person Twin Share

Duration: 8 days

Trip Type: Small Group

Activity Level: Average

Check Availability Brochure

Price based on per person in Double Room for departure 26 Aug 2026

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Customer Reviews

Overall Rating

Excellent

4.5

Guide

Excellent

4.5

Itinerary

Excellent

4.5

Accommodations

Excellent

4.5

Transportation

Excellent

4.5

Tour Operator

Excellent

4.5

Food

Excellent

4.5

4.0

Ricky

Traveled, September 2023

09/16/2023

I’ve been wanting to hike in the Dolomites for many years, and I’m so glad I found this tour. It was a wonderful week of challenging hikes, sunny days, lots of food and wine, and great company. The mountain scenery was breathtaking. Our guide, Edoardo, was excellent- super knowledgeable, enthusiastic about the hikes and the region, approachable, and fun. I highly recommend this trip!

4.5

Kathy

Traveled, September 2023

09/10/2023

Had a wonderful time hiking in the Dolomites! This trip can be physically challenging but the breathtaking views are worth it. Edoardo the guide was amazing.

Tour Operator

Intrepid Travel is a global adventure travel company, dedicated to providing sustainable, experience-rich travel opportunities. They’ve been the leader in ethical, small-group travel since 1989 - taking people around the world for more than 30 years. They’re the world’s largest travel B Corporation - dedicated to being the best travel company for the world. In 2002, they established The Intrepid Foundation so their travellers could make a lasting impact on the communities they had visited. Although Intrepid Travel absorbs all administrative costs of The Intrepid Foundation, they are separate legal entities, allowing The Intrepid Foundation to grow independently. Intrepid Travel is made up of a collection of tour operator brands and 28 destination management companies all united by one vision: To change the way we all see the world.

In Business Since 1989

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